What is a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)?

Written By Christina Catanzaro, Psy.D.

  • A TIA is defined as sudden, usually painless, focal (specific region of brain impacted) event

  • Most last less than 1 hour

  • Not shown on CT or MRI, or resolves within 24 hours

Symptoms of a TIA

  • Can be similar to a stroke - muscle weakness, slurred speech, facial droop, confusion, balance problems

What causes a TIA?

  • Occlusion, or blockage, of a vessel or artery in the brain

  • Blockages can happen as a result of stenosis (narrowing of arteries), blood clot in an artery in the brain, or a blood clot that travels to the brain from somewhere else in the body

  • Blood can’t get to a certain part of the brain

Is there permanent damage from a TIA?

  • TIAs usually resolve quickly, with no lasting damage

  • But they serve as warning signs of an impending stroke

  • Within three months of a TIA, 8-10% of people experience a stroke

  • Half of these occur within the first 48 hours of a TIA

  • Medical attention following a TIA is very important

What are risk factors for having a TIA?

  • Risk factors for stroke and TIA are similar

  • Age – risk increased after age 55

  • Family history of TIA or stroke

  • History of a previous TIA

  • Lifestyle factors – smoking, excessive alcohol use, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet

  • Medical conditions – being overweight, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol

What is the treatment for TIA?

  • Treatment is anchored in prevention

  • Reduce or eliminate the modifiable risk factors as much as possible – these include lifestyle factors and medical conditions

  • Your doctor may recommend medications to reduce blood clots

Christina Catanzaro, Psy.D.

Dr. Catanzaro is a clinical neuropsychologist who specializes in the assessment of neurological disorders. She has received extensive clinical training in neuropsychological assessment, which included a neuropsychology-focused internship at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Dr. Catanzaro subsequently completed a two year fellowship in clinical neuropsychology at Bancroft NeuroRehab where she conducted outpatient neuropsychological evaluations with adults with concussion and traumatic brain injuries, stroke, movement disorders and neurodegenerative disorders.

Dr. Catanzaro’s clinical interests include traumatic brain injury and neurodegenerative disorders, and she has published research on neurologic development as well as mindfulness and acceptance-based interventions. She has served as an adjunct professor in both undergraduate and graduate psychology departments at Kean University and Rutgers University. She maintains research interests in mindfulness-based interventions. Dr. Catanzaro received her doctorate and master’s degree from Kean University, and her bachelor’s degree from Loyola College in Maryland.

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